I love the privilege of collaborating with some of the talented makers I’ve done videos with. Truly it feels silly lending my name to their work, as typically I simply offer suggestions or broad ideas. These incredible craftsmen make it a reality!
The “Bulldog” EDC Wallet
2018 – Once upon a time I had an idea of a front pocket wallet which was shaped like a front pocket. This would be a simple design with a wedge shape, a place for cards/cash, and two slots: one for a pen and another for my trusty Victorinox Cadet. Unfortunately the maker is no longer in business, and we only sold a few.
Nicks Peanut Bison Traveler Boots
2020 – These were a first crack at using bison leather on a Nicks boot. To that point Nicks hadn’t experimented much with leathers outside their Seidel work boot leather, but this was an easy way to try something a little different.
Red Nose Leather Axe Sheathe
2020 – A fantastic leatherworker doing business as Red Nose Leather had a very interesting axe sheathe design which I’d purchased for one of my Gransfors Bruk axes. We used Red Wing Copper Rough & Tough Leather to make a dozen sheathes for some Council Tool hatchets. These were given away to members of my Patreon.
Kreosote K7M Boots
2021 – I am a huge fan of Gabbard and his work at Kreosote Boots. The chance to collaborate with him was a true honor, and the K7M boots were sold out within a day. Gabbard hand-dyes his leather, and these boots were a beautiful shade of emerald green. Seriously end-level craftsmanship on these!
Nicks Vintage Tanker Boots
2022 – I had always loved the look of a half-sole on boots. The uninterrupted heel, the sleeker profile, it just makes my heart sing. Nicks never entertained the idea though… until the Vintage Tanker. We essentially took their new work tanker design and refined it with teacore leather, Biltrite half-sole, and Cats Paw heel.
Field Leathers B3 “The Connecticut”
2023 – This was an idea I’d had clanging around inside my brain for years: a B3 which was meant for civilian use, with a bit more refinement than the repro options which were on the market. Greg was meticulous with his choice of materials and components, creating what’s (in my opinion) one of the best B3 bomber jacket interpretations ever made.
Nicks Pullman Engineer Boots
Nicks and I teamed up again for a new engineer boot model. Taking inspiration from mid-century Knapp engineer boots, we again made a refined version in black waxed flesh and half-sole for this collaboration.
Heat Straps – The Workhorse
2023 – Heat Straps had been a wonderful small team to work with, and when they approached me for a possible collab I was very eager to make it happen. I imagined a replacement for my beloved Carhartt Detroit Jacket: a short-cropped work jacket which was simple and effective. Of course, entirely made in the USA in a way I wish the great American brands still did.
We’ve done seven versions so far, all which sold out almost immediately:
V1 – Tan waxed canvas/Blue wool lining
The original, and still my daily driver. I love this jacket and it was a perfect combination of materials and colors.
V2 – Brown waxed canvas/green wool lining
We never expected the response the first version of The Workhorse got, so one good turn deserved another!
V3 – Black heavy waxed canvas/orange wool
I always thought this color combination would look wild, and appropriately enough we released it just in time for Halloween. A very heavy 24oz waxed canvas was used this time, giving V3 the nickname “Workhorse Heavy”.
V4 – Gray heavy waxed canvas/tan wool lining
Repeating the formula for V3, the V4 was made from a more subtle gray 24oz canvas with a tan wool lining.
V5 – Green heavy waxed canvas/black mouton lining
This was the craziest makeup yet, and it had the price to match. Mouton is obscenely expensive, but also almost unmatched in warmth. Pulling out all the stops on this one, we sold them all in under one day.
V6 – Black/Red Wool/Black wool lining
The 32oz Hardwear wool had been in development for a long time, and this version of the workhorse was much easier to wear than any before. I believe this one is an instant classic.
The Waxed Lumberjacket
This was an attempt at making a hunting/camping shirt/jac which would be reinforced in common wear areas. It was a lot of fun to design, but I’m not sure it will make a comeback.
The Future
I’m working with several brands on even more collaborative products currently. The chance to create something wonderful with people and brands I admire has been one of the greatest joys of my life recently.
I saw your video last night about your top 5 boots that you would keep. I’ve also seen the video about your top 5 nicks boots. So if you had to pick one boot… would you pick Nicks Tanker or White’s bounty hunter? I know you mentioned that the tanker was your go to because of ease of putting on but you also have praised the bounty hunter a lot. Just curious which you would pick of the two.